New scheme sets standards for Christchurch sports clubs
2 April 2003
Christchurch Sports Clubs will be encouraged to raise the standard of what
they provide for members under the new Club Mark scheme.
Set to
start in July, the scheme is part of the new Physical Recreation
and Sport Strategy for Christchurch. It aims to increase participation
in sport through clubs, by encouraging them to provide a healthier,
safer and
injury free environment for members.
The Club Mark has been developed
by Christchurch City Council Leisure, Community and Public Health,
Sport Canterbury, ACC and Hauora Matauraka
under the collective title of Healthy Sports Clubs Christchurch.
Organisations
who volunteer to take part in the scheme will assess themselves
against a set of criteria including strategic planning;
health and safety; financial planning and resources; communication
with members;
use of volunteers; and coaching. The club’s approach to issues such
as being smokefree; host responsibility; injury prevention; sunsmart
practices and blood borne infections will form part of this self-assessment.
Clubs that meet a significant proportion of the criteria will receive the
Club Mark at either bronze, silver or gold level. The Club
Mark will inform members, potential members, funders and others
that a club has business
practices in place and provides a healthy environment for members,
Alan Bywater, Christchurch City Council Leisure planning leader
says.
Clubs receiving a Club Mark standard will be audited to ensure
that their actions meet their self-assessment.
For clubs that do
not reach the required standard or wish to progress to a gold award,
support will be made available through templates
or help from an appropriate agency such as Sport Canterbury, Community
and Public
Health or ACC
“
This is the first scheme of its type in New Zealand that we are
aware of.” Mr Bywater says. “ We have already piloted 10 Christchurch
clubs with it and are confident that it can only be good for the
future of Canterbury sport. ”
The Healthy Sports Club Christchurch group
is now seeking funding to administer the Club Mark scheme, which
could eventually involve
about 900 Christchurch sports clubs. To date the group has received
funding of
$10,000 from the Community Trust and is actively pursuing other
funding sources.
As the scheme moves closer to its launch, sports
associations and clubs will be approached by the Healthy Sports
Clubs Christchurch group.
A report on The Club Mark has been included
on the agenda for the 7 April meeting of the Council’s Community and
Leisure Committee. This agenda will be available on the web at www.ccc.govt.nz/council/Agendas/
Top of Page ~ Media Release index
|
